can be little doubt that the loss of three of its largest and most prestigious ships to enemy action (Aaro and Calypso sunk; Eskimo captured) in a three-week period in the summer contributed greatly to the Wilson family's decision to sell the company. Though it kept the Wilson name (Ellerman's Wilson Line of Hull) and continued for several years, it never saw the same success, despite a brief revival in the 1950s, and was eventually closed in 1973 when the Ellerman company turned its focus elsewhere. Development From a background in iron importing, the focus was on steam shipping, still in its early stages and eventually saw the company become a prominent figure in modern steam shipping. Initially, the firm concentrated on Swedish iron ore importing for the Sheffield iron trades but gradually turned to focus on the shipping lines all over the world, with Hull becoming one of the most significant ports to flourish under the advent of steam. Previously getting out of the Humber Estuary was difficult despite the convenient location of Hull, but with steam, it became easy to reach the sea and navigate around Britain. Relevance At one time the firm was well on its way to becoming the world's largest private shipowner. The company stands out as one of interest in the maritime and business world of the period, as it provides an example of the changing fortunes of a family business. It has been suggested that Thomas Wilson is a good example of the emergence of specialist shipowners at this time. Livery Funnels: Red with black top. Hull: black (Thomas Wilson Sons) or dark green (Ellerman's Wilson) but occasionally white where the vessel had refrigerated capacity. Passenger vessels of Thomas Wilson Sons & Co. / Ellerman's Wilson Line See also Earle's Shipbuilding John Ellerman Oswald Sanderson Thomas Wilson Wilson's & North Eastern Railway Shipping Co. Ltd References Bibliography Greenway, Ambrose (1986); A Century of North Sea Passenger Steamers ; Shepperton, Ian Allan ; . Haws, Duncan (1993); Merchant Fleets – Britain's Railway Steamers – Eastern & North Western + Zeeland and Stena ; Hereford, TCL Publications ; . External links Glasgow Archives Wilson Line collection Hull in print history Hull Maritime museum University of Hull archives Defunct shipping companies of the United Kingdom Transport companies established in 1822 Defunct companies of Kingston upon Hull 1822 establishments in England British companies established in 1822